Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest June 29, 2020
Nokay Lake FishingNRNot rated for water quality
Minnesota DNR surveys at Nokay Lake average 17.95 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 8 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated June 29, 2020. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 7–16 inches. In Crow Wing County, Minnesota, Nokay Lake has no letter grade — the only measurement available is water clarity, which is not a water-quality indicator on its own — EPA's National Lakes Assessment does not grade clarity. Water clarity averages 8.2 feet of visibility, and there is one public boat landing. The survey figures on this page are Minnesota DNR's own; the water-quality grade comes from EPA Water Quality Portal samples. Neither is a forecast of today's bite.
Species recorded at Nokay Lake
15 species on the Minnesota DNR list for this lake. A species on the list has been recorded here; it does not mean it is catchable today or in every part of the lake.
Stocking at Nokay Lake
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for this lake — which species went in, how many, and in which years. Read the years: a lake stocked in one year is not necessarily stocked in the next.
Getting on the water
1 public boat landing is recorded on Nokay Lake. Minnesota DNR lists the public access sites, including ramp type and parking, in the documents below.
Survey results in full
Minnesota DNR surveys at Nokay Lake average 17.95 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 8 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated June 29, 2020. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 7–16 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality does not assign an A–F grade on Nokay Lake — official chemistry is on file, not a letter, and the water-quality trend over 5 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
8 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2020-06-29 (Targeted Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Bluntnose Minnow | 50.86 | — |
| Bluegill | 20.41 | 0.15 lb |
| Largemouth Bass | 17.95 | 0.96 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, averaged across surveys (excludes juvenile shoreline seining). Higher CPUE means more abundant in standardized sampling. This is not a weekly bite report.
Length Distributions
Number of fish caught at each inch class in the most recent survey that recorded lengths. Red dashed line marks an approximate trophy threshold for that species.
Bluegill
Largemouth Bass
From the 2020-06-29 survey
Nokay Lake is a 660 acre lake located 10 miles east of Brainerd in Crow Wing County. A small public access is located on the west side of the lake. Nokay reaches depths of 42 feet, with 33% of the lake 15' deep or less. The shoreline is moderately developed with one resort present. Extensive bulrush beds are located…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Nokay Lake. 4 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — NokayFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Nokay (0031)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — NokayFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — NokayPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in Nokay Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys at Nokay Lake average 17.95 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 8 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated June 29, 2020. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 7–16 inches. Minnesota DNR lists 15 species for the lake in total. Those are survey results, not a catch report: a net set on one date measures what was in that net.
When was Nokay Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for Nokay Lake is dated June 29, 2020. Survey intervals vary by lake and by species; a gap of several years between surveys is normal and does not mean the record is missing.
Is Nokay Lake stocked?
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for Nokay Lake. It records which species were released, in what numbers and in which years — the source documents are linked further down this page. A lake can be stocked in some years and not others, so read the years rather than assuming an annual release.
Does the water-quality grade tell me how Nokay Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality does not assign an A–F grade on Nokay Lake — official chemistry is on file, not a letter, and the water-quality trend over 5 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
Before you eat what you catch
A water-quality grade is not a consumption advisory. Mercury and PCB advice for Minnesota waters comes from MDH, and it is issued per species and per size class — a lake can grade well and still carry a meal limit on larger predator fish.
Where to stay near Nokay Lake
Top-rated places to stay near Nokay Lake
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